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In This Episode:
Dr. K talks with Richard Caro, PhD, a co-founder of Tech-Enhanced Life, who recently spent a few weeks carefully testing and reviewing four types of smartwatches that can serve as medical alert devices in the event of a fall or other personal health emergency. They discuss:
- The Tech-Enhanced Life approach to evaluating innovations and newer technologies
- The problem with existing medical alert devices
- What key things to consider, when choosing a personal emergency response system (PERS) device and service
- Why Richard and Dr. K recommend automatic fall-detection in a medical alert device
- Which four smartwatch devices Richard selected for further testing
- The difference between the Apple Watch 3 and 4, when it comes to using them as a medical alert
- Why most medical alert services charge a monthly fee
- How these newer smartwatch devices compare to more traditional PERS devices
- The benefits of being able to “practice” summoning help
- Richard’s preferred combo of medical alert features that no smartwatch offers (yet)
- What to keep in mind if considering a medical alert for someone with dementia
Related episodes:
068 – Interview: Putting Older Adults at the Center of Technology Conversations
010 – Interview: Choosing a Wearable Medical Alert System for Older Adults
Related Resources:
- From Tech-Enhanced Life:
- Smartwatches as Medical Alerts (this is Richard’s in-depth report; highly recommended by Dr. K!)
- Medical Alert Systems Guide & Selection Tool
- About the Longevity Explorers
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Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt says
Will there be a transcript?
For us older people who need to review content, and don’t like getting stuck in an audio or visual funnel where we can’t skim to find what we need, text is critical.
Our brains often don’t pick up information otherwise.
Thanks!
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Thank you for your interest in the episode. I wish we could provide transcripts, but unfortunately, at this time we don’t have the funds or resources to do so. We hope to be able to do so eventually.
Richard’s report on smartwatches (listed in the related resources) is a text document and can be skimmed.